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What We've Learned from the CO2 Measurement RecordA half century of carbon measurements has provided the cornerstone for research into human-driven climate change. As measurements have become more sophisticated and expanded from one station to a global network, the data have enabled us to draw strong conclusions about the carbon cycle. This session covered what we know now and what other gases can tell us about the origin and fate of CO2.

Speakers:

Prof. Ralph F. Keeling, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
(Lessons from Mauna Loa: On the value of continuous time series)Slides

Assessing Impacts and UrgencyContinued emission of CO2 and other greenhouse gases will exacerbate the warming trend already observed during the past century, along with consequences of sea-level rise, glacial melting, ocean acidification, and ecosystem disturbance. The potential impact of these events, combined with the complication of realized and potential feedbacks, underscores the urgency of improving our understanding of the climate system, while simultaneously working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Rising sea levels, increased desertification, and changing availability of food, water and energy could trigger conflicts around the globe. This session explored these issues, as well as the interrelationship among climate change, national and international security, and energy dependence.

Business Challenges, Opportunities, and RisksAlthough addressing climate change through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is challenging, the outlook is not necessarily bleak. Opportunity exists for developing new sources of energy, profitably mitigating emissions, and making better and more efficient use of existing alternatives. These efforts are likely to be market-driven as governments and business organizations establish agreed-upon guidelines for reduction. Innovation in the future will likely lead to new and effective alternatives.

Climate Change Mitigation under Strong Carbon ConstraintsThis talk discussed the range of mitigation options that already exist and how societies may choose the composition of their mitigation-adaptation portfolios. The international dimensions of mitigation and the possible new "architecture" for post-2012 climate policy were discussed, as was the necessity of heavy involvement from the environmental science community in assessing already foreseeable large-scale mitigation options and in-the-wings geoengineering options. Transcripts have been edited for accuracy and clarity. No revisions of substance have been made.

Terrestrial Impacts, Feedbacks & Human AdaptationAs the climate warms, managed and unmanaged ecosystems will adjust to changes in temperature, moisture, and extreme events. The same systems are already adapting to existing threats, such as invasive species and habitat fragmentation. What changes are already occurring and how might they feed back into the climate system to create further change in the future?

Ocean Impacts, Feedbacks & Human AdaptationOne certain outcome of increasing CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing acidification of the oceans. This has potentially serious consequences for the marine environment, from one-celled organisms to complex ecosystems such as coral reefs.

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum: An Analog for the Future?Fifty-five million years ago an enormous amount of carbon was rapidly released into the atmosphere and oceans. This led to significant warming as well as ocean acidification lasting tens of thousands of years. Could current human activities trigger another huge and rapid release of carbon?

Speaker:

Prof. James E. Zachos, University of California, Santa Cruz(Greenhouse Warming and Ocean Acidification in the Past: Lessons for the Future)Slides - Transcript

A Climate Success Story - Reversing Ozone DepletionClimate change owing to increased greenhouse gas emissions is not the first serious global environmental issue faced by society. Two decades ago, depletion of stratospheric ozone posed a threat to both human health and Earths ecosystems. This difficult issue of the time was addressed collectively by scientists, policy-makers, and industry to achieve an outcome with promising results.

Speaker:

Dr. Susan Solomon, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory

Luau - Featuring renowned Hawaiian chef Sam Choy.
6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 20078:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Mitigation Options: Part 1There are many options for reform of our energy system, and we will likely have to work simultaneously on many of them. Improved energy efficiency, zero emissions fossil fuel utilization, nuclear energy, and renewables are among the options for reforming our energy system.

Dr. Chuck Kutscher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory(Climate Change and the Role of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency)Slides - Transcript

Mitigation Options: Part 2 Environmental Impacts of Mitigation SolutionsNo mitigation option comes without a consequence. Some options require increased energy consumption, some cause new or different adverse environmental impacts, several create social and economic concerns, and others have limits as to how long they can be effective. This session addressed several of these issues and suggested several approaches for optimizing our way forward.

Dr. Dave Karl, University of Hawaii(Improving the Efficiency of the Ocean's Biological Carbon Pump)Slides - Transcript

Regional EffortsReducing global CO2 emissions will require local and regional efforts. It is also at the regional scale that the impacts of climate change are felt. This may provide the motivation to solve difficult challenges posed by coordination, funding, and management across borders. This session discussed opportunities, successes, and needs in regional carbon management.

Future Measurements and Research NeedsAs we set about reducing carbon emissions, we will need an objective method to measure the effectiveness of the different approaches. Which of the evolving policies work best? Building on the experience gained from the Mauna Loa record, the atmosphere itself offers us the possibility to provide this policy feedback.

New Research for a Committed World, Panel DiscussionModerator: Prof. Ray F. Weiss, Scripps Institution of Oceanography(What are the proper roles of science and scientists in a world that has accepted the challenge of climate change?)Slides - Transcript